Contemporary art, former factory sites and themed walking tours offer different ways to explore L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. The city’s history can be explored in museums and historic buildings, or along routes through individual neighbourhoods. Which of these perspectives interests you most can shape the focus of your stay.
Art and culture at the Tecla Sala site
The Fundació Arranz-Bravo is a contemporary art centre on the Tecla Sala site. It promotes the work of artist Eduard Arranz-Bravo and supports the contemporary work of young artists. A description updated in May 2024 puts the Fundació’s collection at 340 works by Arranz-Bravo.
The Centre d’Art Tecla Sala is housed in a former 19th-century textile factory, which now serves as a cultural centre. Guided tours are available by prior reservation. In addition to the Centre d’Art, the site is home to the Biblioteca Central, TPK – Art i Pensament Contemporani, the Centre d’Estudis de L’Hospitalet (CEL’H) and the Fundació Arranz-Bravo. Tecla Sala thus brings together several cultural institutions in a historic industrial complex.
City history in museums and historic buildings
The permanent exhibition at the Museu d’Història de L’Hospitalet explains the motives and circumstances that have shaped the city, rather than focusing on monumental construction projects. Casa Espanya is a permanent location of the museum, which is primarily dedicated to the city’s history. It houses the permanent exhibitions “L’Hospitalet, un indret, una història” and “L’Hospitalet i la memòria democràtica”.
Can Sumarro offers a different historic setting: surrounded by gardens, the farmhouse dates back to the 16th century and comprises two buildings, the former farmhouse and the barn. The institution is considered a landmark of cultural and social life in the centre of L’Hospitalet. Its distinctive features include a collection specialising in Spanish cinema and activities planned for the outdoors. The Atalaya is also among the historic structures: it is a 16th-century defensive tower.
Choose walking tours by theme and neighbourhood
“El món de Puig i Gairalt a Collblanc” takes you on foot through Collblanc and La Torrassa and focuses on the work of architect Puig i Gairalt. “L’Hospitalet industrial” offers a different architectural focus: the route passes through Centre and Sant Josep and explores the industrial heritage through former factories dating from the mid-20th century.
“La vila vella de L’Hospitalet” takes you through the old town and covers the city’s origins and its former agricultural context, including wine and grain cultivation. “Les dones de L’Hospitalet” focuses on women’s contribution to the city’s development; the route passes through new residential areas from Santa Eulàlia to Bellvitge.
The “Transició democràtica a L’Hospitalet” route begins in Collblanc and La Torrassa and ends in Bellvitge. Streets and buildings illustrate important events in local history from 1960 to 1980. The routes therefore differ both in their themes and in the neighbourhoods they cover and their geographical course.
Practical information for your stay
Mercat de Collblanc is a market designed by architect Ramón Puig and built in 1932. It can be reached on metro lines 5 and 9 and bus routes LH1, LH12 and D20. Check connections before travelling.
Teatre Joventut is temporarily closed for extensive renovations. Check the latest status before planning a visit.
Discover more destinations: Manresa, Rubí, Monistrol De Calders, Vallgorguina, L'espunyola, Sant Bartomeu Del Grau, El Masnou, Montcada.
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